41 overdoses in 18 days: Metro Atlanta county is warning of a sudden overdose spike

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Gwinnett County Police are warning of an overdose spike. The police department said in a news release Monday the county had 41 overdose cases in the last 18 days.

The department is reminding people of Georgia’s 911 Medical Amnesty and Expanded Naloxone Access Law.

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The law protects both the overdose victim and caller when requesting medical help during a suspected drug overdose. The law means the victim and caller will not be arrested, charged, or prosecuted.

The department is also reminding the community about Naloxone HCI, commonly known as NARCAN.

The nasal spray can reverse the effects of an overdose. NARCAN can work against overdoses of of heroin, fentanyl, fentanyl analogs, methadone, hydrocodone, OxyContin, “roxys,” dilaudid, morphine, and codeine, according to the news release.

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NARCAN does not work to reverse overdoses of methamphetamines, cocaine, benzodiazepines like Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, or bath salts.

Police recommend using NARCAN when in doubt about what someone took to overdose.

Free NARCAN training sponsored by GNR Public Health and Georgia Overdose Prevention is held by Navigate Recovery at 52 Gwinnett Drive, Suite A in Lawrenceville on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month. It is available to friends and family members of opioid users, as well as users themselves, according the Navigate Recovery website. You can sign up here.

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Those who complete the classes will receive a free Nasal Spray Kit. If you have any questions or want more information regarding the training, contact 678-743-1808 ext. 115, or email events@navigaterecovery.org.

Police say they continue to investigate and apprehend people responsible for the sale and possession of illegal drugs.

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Narcan for dogs: Police K9s at risk in opioid crisis The dogs are overdosing from the deadly drugs, and now police are getting the K-9s to use a passive detection technique to keep them safe.

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